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Marines pause to honor fallen leader

The eyes of many were shut and the heads of others were bowed as bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" in honor of a friend and combat leader.

Lance Cpl. Jason C. Corrente, an infantryman assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, softly touches the helmet of his fallen friend, Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson. The 21-year-old was killed in action Aug. 25, while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. He was from Milford, Conn.

Marines from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, recently gathered to honor Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson. Pierson was killed in action Aug. 25 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq.

"Jordan was a true leader fueled by motivation, heart, love, and a natural ability to lead Marines in combat. He gave everyone his all and never expected anything in return," said Lance Cpl. Jason C. Cooling, a close friend and fellow infantryman, from Southbury, Conn.

Pierson, a 21-year-old from Milford, Conn., served as a team leader for C Company and showed his leadership traits and abilities to all who knew him.

"Jordan was driven by a desire to be the absolute best that he could be. Not to impress anyone, not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do," said Lt. Col. Christopher A. Landro, the battalion commander, from Kennesaw, Ga.

Pierson put his education on hold to deploy with the battalion to Fallujah. But his love for learning never ceased, even while battling scorching temperatures and long hours on post watching over his fellow Marines.

He studied the Arabic language constantly so he could talk with those he came in contact with in the city.

"By the time the unthinkable happened and we lost Pierson, he was actually making friends with Iraqis here," said Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Lambert, a member of Pierson's team from Charlton, Mass. "There are buildings out there where every member of the household know Jordan's name and are friends with him."

Pierson displayed his kindness to those he cared about, but displayed the works of a hero to many more.

He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device for heroic achievement and superior performances of his duties while serving as a rifle team leader here.

On several occasions, Pierson maneuvered himself into harm's way only to help the Marines next to him by suppressing the enemy.

Lambert, 25, said he witnessed Pierson dive for cover after a grenade was thrown at him. Still, he received shrapnel from the blast, but he got up and charged after the insurgent attacker. Pierson never paused to tend to his own wounds.

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